Communication and Creative Supplies

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Communication from Beginning to End

From Mellanay P. Auman, a language arts teacher at Townsend Middle School in Tucson, Arizona

"The first week of school, I send home a fill-in-the-blank letter in English and Spanish for the parents to write to me about their son/daughter. They get a chance to tell me about what they want their child to accomplish in my class and their child?s strengths, hobbies and interests. I ask the parents to tell me if they would be willing to volunteer in my room as a tutor or a guest speaker. They write down the best way we can communicate and the hours they are available. The parents love bragging about their child and this letter opens the lines of communication for the rest of the year.

At the end of the year, I send a letter to the parents when they examine their child's work portfolio for the entire year. I ask them to tell me what growth they see in their child's writing and reading logs. I also ask them to evaluate my assignments and website. Again, the parents' responses are a great way for me to see what worked in their opinion and helps them see how much their child has grown as a reader and writer. I keep those letters in what I call my HUG file. Whenever I think I am not making a difference, I just have to open that file and read a few letters which encourage me to continue as a teacher and help me to recognize the trees in the forest."
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2. Free Batteries and Supplies

From an anonymous a first grade teacher at Norwood Elementary School in Miami, Florida:

"I use Leap Pads for enrichment, and I go through a lot of batteries because our school doesn?t have many outlets in the classrooms. I get free batteries from my local photo development store. I asked the manager to save the batteries from the instant cameras they develop. The batteries are still good, and they just go in the garbage. This donation helps significantly to fray the cost of purchasing batteries. Every teacher, especially new teachers, should go to www.adoptaclassroom.com. It is an excellent way to get free money to buy supplies. It is very simple and easy to do."
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3. Question of the Week: Defusing Conflicts

From the Works4Me Worker Bees:

"Conflicts between teachers and students sometimes arise in the classroom. On some occasions students escalate these conflicts through verbal abuse, then verbal threats, and ultimately to some form of physical violence (e.g., pushing, shoving, hitting or kicking). Recognizing the potential for such conflicts before they can escalate to a physical altercation is key. What warning signals alert you that a conflict with a student could become physical? What strategies do you have for defusing conflicts and preventing them from becoming dangerous?"
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4. Immature Student

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge from Jamie Mahoney:

"What do you do with a student who answers back to everything no matter what? For example, a particular student won't share with another student even though that student has shared with him. His response is that they could get what they need from another student sitting next to them. This student argues everything, and the teachers want to Child Study Team him. He is very bright and articulate but immature! I feel most of his problems lie with his immaturity and have been trying to get him to see the problems his behaviors cause. Any suggestions?"
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